Canaima

Canaima may refer to two related things in Venezuela: a town in the Gran Sabana municipality, Bolívar state, and Canaima National Park, a vast protected area surrounding the town. The park covers roughly 30,000 square kilometers in southeastern Venezuela and was established in 1962. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 for its extraordinary table-top mountains, or tepuis, which rise abruptly from the forest and host unique ecosystems.

The park's most famous feature is Angel Falls, the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a plunge of 979 meters on the Carrao River. Other notable tepuis include Auyán-tepui and Mount Roraima, the latter the source of many myths and a popular trekking destination. The Canaima landscape includes savannas, forests, and extensive river systems shaped by the Guiana Shield.

The town of Canaima lies at the edge of the park and serves as a hub for visitors traveling to the Gran Sabana. Access is typically by air from major cities or by river and overland trips that follow the Caroní and Carrao basins. The area is traditionally inhabited by the Pemon people, whose communities maintain a presence in the park and contribute to ecotourism and local crafts.

Canaima is noted for its natural beauty, geological significance, and cultural heritage, attracting researchers and travelers interested in tropical mountains, waterfalls, and remote ecosystems.